Latest News

Cure Leukaemia Recieve Over £350k in “Life-Changing” Support from Flutter

Published

1 year ago

December 3, 2024

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The annual Flutter Charity Ball has raised over £282,000 to help fund potentially life-changing clinical trials for leading blood cancer charity, Cure Leukaemia.

In the run up to the huge event, Flutter, parent company for Sky Betting & Gaming, Betfair, Paddy Power & tombola raised over £75,000 – bringing the total amount raised for the charity to an extraordinary £357,000.

The money will go towards funding the recently launched ATICUS network, which costs £1 million per year to run and supports 15 centres or hospitals across the UK, including Leeds, Manchester and London.

For the first time, children living with blood cancer across the nation will have access to potentially lifesaving, innovative treatments through this national clinical trial infrastructure.

Hundreds gathered at a huge event at the Royal Armouries at New Dock Hall in Leeds last night, hosted by ITV Racing presenters Ed Chamberlin and Oli Bell.

Ed Chamberlin said: “I look forward to hosting the Flutter Charity Ball for Cure Leukaemia every year, not least because it’s a fun night, but also because I had my own brush with cancer in the past.

“At the time, I found myself next to a children’s ward where I watched kids undergo treatment first hand. Knowing funds raised could ultimately accelerate access to less harmful treatments for children puts the importance of the entire night into perspective.”

ATICUS Network Ambassador George Lineker, son of well-known former England footballer and Cure Leukaemia patron Gary Lineker OBE, added: “I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia as a two-month-old baby. I still cannot imagine how my family must have felt being told their child had a 10-20% chance of survival. But I was one of the lucky ones. Funds raised for Cure Leukaemia could ultimately help change the fate of so many who might otherwise not be as fortunate.”

James McLaughlin, CEO of Cure Leukaemia, added: “We are thrilled and deeply grateful for the incredible support shown at the Flutter Ball. The funds raised will make a profound impact on our mission to bring hope to the 250,000 people living with blood cancer in the UK. This generosity not only empowers groundbreaking research but also brings us closer to a future free from this devastating disease.”

To a backdrop of entertainment, including a darts competition against PDC World Darts tour professional Joe Cullen, guests dug deep after Jo and Jim Hawkridge put Flutter’s donation into perspective, sharing the story of their son Jude, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and ran out of options for treatment via the NHS.

“As a family, we support Cure Leukaemia because we need more trials. We need to get the trials that are available for adults and children. Without these trials my son would no longer be here.”

Steve Birch, Chief Commercial Officer for Sky Betting & Gaming and tombola, said: “The charity ball is always our biggest fundraising event, and every year our colleagues and partners never disappoint as they come together to raise money for well-deserving causes.

“I’ve visited the Christie Research Centre in Manchester, which is one of 15 centres that Cure Leukaemia support, and I saw myself the importance and impact that the money Flutter has raised over the last year makes. We are truly grateful for the generosity of attendees who collectively helped us to raise a great amount for Cure Leukaemia so they can continue their work to find a cure for blood cancer.”

The charity ball forms part of Flutter’s larger global pledge to Do More for its communities as part of its worldwide sustainability strategy, the Positive Impact Plan.

The goal of “Do More” is to improve the lives of 10 million people by 2030, which is made possible by Flutter’s scale and the collective passion of its colleagues.

The post Cure Leukaemia Recieve Over £350k in “Life-Changing” Support from Flutter appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Latest News

Meridianbet Doubles Down on Belgium: New Casino License Unlocks €455m Market Segment

Published

11 hours ago

December 22, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: This is a classic “Cross-Sell” play. Meridianbet has already spent seven years building a sports betting database in Belgium. By securing this B+ license, they can now monetize those same users with higher-margin casino products (slots, table games) without needing to acquire new traffic from scratch. With the Belgian casino sector growing at 20% year-over-year, this is a significant revenue unlock for the GMGI portfolio.

The Full Story

Meridianbet, the sports betting and gaming operator owned by Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has successfully expanded its regulatory footprint in Europe by securing a B+ online gaming license in Belgium.

The new license (B+ 4016) authorizes the company to launch a comprehensive online casino platform—featuring slots, table games, and automated live games—starting in January 2026. This move significantly broadens the operator’s capabilities in the country, complementing its existing sports betting operations which have been active in the Belgian market for seven years.

Targeting the Largest Market Segment The strategic rationale behind the license is clear: Casino is now the dominant force in Belgian gambling. According to the Belgian Gaming Commission, the online casino vertical generated €455 million in Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) in 2023, representing a 20.2% year-over-year increase.

By entering this vertical, Meridianbet gains access to the largest and fastest-growing segment of a market that generated a total of €944.6 million last year.

Tech-First Entry Meridianbet plans to deploy its proprietary AI Casino Recommender technology for the Belgian launch. This system analyzes player behavior and preferences in real-time to deliver personalized game suggestions, a crucial differentiator in a highly concentrated market where just ten operators account for 94% of all online wagers.

Regulatory Context Belgium is known for having one of Europe’s strictest regulatory frameworks, characterized by rigorous compliance standards and player protection protocols. Securing this license validates Meridianbet’s operational standards and deepens its foothold in a “mature” market that is notoriously difficult for new entrants to penetrate.

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Latest News

LinkDataMedia Drops ‘Startup’ Look with Major 5th Anniversary Rebrand

Published

15 hours ago

December 22, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: In the iGaming affiliate space, the five-year mark is a critical survival threshold. Many media startups fade away before reaching it. LinkDataMedia’s decision to rebrand now is a classic “graduation” signal. By shedding their startup skin for a more corporate, “blue-chip” aesthetic (the stability-focused blue triangle), they are telling operators and partners that they are no longer just an affiliate project, but a stable infrastructure partner ready for larger commercial deals.

The Full Story

LinkDataMedia, the parent company behind the popular affiliate portal Gamblers Connect, has announced a comprehensive corporate rebrand to coincide with its fifth anniversary.

The overhaul includes a completely refreshed brand identity, a redesigned logo, and a fully revamped website, all of which are now live. The move is described by the company not as a mere cosmetic update, but as a strategic pivot designed to distance the business from its “startup roots” and reflect its current status as an established player in the competitive iGaming media landscape.

Visualizing Maturity The new visual language features a modernized blue triangular logo, a shape chosen to represent “stability and forward momentum.” The digital user experience has also been streamlined, offering partners a cleaner interface that aligns better with the company’s matured operational capabilities.

Management Commentary Gjorgje Ristikj, Founder and CEO of LinkDataMedia, commented on the significance of hitting the half-decade milestone in such a volatile industry:

“Surviving the first five years in business takes more than luck. It takes belief, resilience, and the right people around you. This milestone, and the rebrand, reflect exactly that.”

Implementation The new branding has already been deployed across the main corporate website and is currently being rolled out across LinkDataMedia’s social media channels and internal communication platforms. As the company enters its sixth year, the refreshed identity aims to set the stage for a new phase of expansion and innovation.

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Latest News

Win Systems to Debut New ‘Gold Club Colors’ and WIGOS Upgrades at ICE Barcelona

Published

15 hours ago

December 22, 2025

George Miller

Editor’s Take

Why this matters: As ICE makes its historic move to Barcelona, established tech providers like Win Systems are under pressure to bring their “A-game” to the larger venue. The focus here isn’t just on cabinets; it’s the ecosystem. By highlighting WIGOS (their CMS) alongside WIN PAY, Win Systems is positioning itself as an infrastructure partner, not just a hardware supplier. The debut of the Gold Club Colors roulette specifically targets the growing demand for visually customizable electronic table games (ETGs).

The Full Story

Win Systems, the global provider of technology for the gaming and entertainment industry, has confirmed its product roadmap for ICE Barcelona 2026, the sector’s most significant international event taking place from January 19 to 21.

Exhibiting at Stand 3M30 at the Fira Barcelona Gran Via, the company will leverage the new venue to showcase a broad portfolio designed to cover the entire casino floor—from management systems to the gaming floor itself.

Systems and Fintech At the core of the showcase is WIGOS, the company’s flagship Casino Management System (CMS). WIGOS is widely recognized for connecting thousands of machines across multiple countries, and the Barcelona display will focus on advanced tools that streamline daily operations and optimize player retention.

Complementing the CMS, Win Systems will present WIN PAY, its secure transaction platform. As cashless and seamless payment solutions become standard requirements for operators, WIN PAY offers the necessary efficiency and security controls for modern gaming environments.

Hardware: Roulette and Slots On the hardware side, Win Systems is refreshing its electronic table game offering with the new Gold Club Colors electronic roulette. The Gold Club line has long been a staple in the company’s portfolio, known for its compact footprint and reliability; the “Colors” iteration promises to maximize visual impact on the floor.

Alongside the roulette, the company will display its latest slot hardware, including the Sublime and Rhapsody cabinets. These units are designed to house the company’s extensive game library, which has been adapted to suit diverse market profiles from Europe to Latin America.

Strategic Goals Win Systems aims to use the three-day event to reinforce its 30-year legacy in the industry. The company described its participation as a commitment to “continuous innovation,” inviting operators and regulators to explore how their integrated solutions can improve in-room performance.

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